Automatic railway switch



C. 3. EPPLEY AUTOMATIC RAILWAY SWITCH Feb. 16 1926. 1,573,234

Filed July 25, 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 {A 0A. fin. u Gummy:

Feb. 16,1926. 1,573,234

C. EPPLEY AUTOMATIC RAILWAY SWITCH Filed July 25. 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 @513 1 v dvm 7, anon/121 Feb. 16 1926. 1,573,234

C.S.EPPLEY AUTOMATIC RAILWAY SWITCH Filed July 25. 1923 5 Shets-$heet '3 Qwvemtoz Feb. 16 1926.

c. s. EPPLEY AUTOMATIC RAILWAY SWITCH Filed July 25, 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Feb. 16 1926. 1,573,234

c. s. EPPLEY AUTOMATIC RAILWAY SWITCH Filed July 25. 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Feb. 16, 1926.

1 CHARLES S EEPLEY, OF YORK, PENNSYLVANIA.

AUTOMATIC RAILWAY SWITCH.

Application filed July 25, 1923. -Serial No. 653,760.

To all whom c't may concern.

5B6 it known that I, CHARLES S. Errnnr, a citizen of the United States, residing at Yorkpin the county of York and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Railway and certain 'in its operation and which will not be'l-iable to a disarrangement or 1mproper functioning of its parts.

Another object of the invention is to provide a switch operating mechanism which will require little attention after it has been installed and the operation of which may be readily controlled by the motormain ofan approaching car, througl'ithe mere manipulation of the controller lever of the c:

control, and without "anylikelihood of the switch point being improperly adjusted to cause derailment of thecar.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure l is a plan view of the mechanism embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the mechanism, the casing beingomitted as well ascertain other parts not necessary to an understanding of the invention;

Figure 3 isa transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig ure 1 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows I Figure 4 1s 21V1W similar to Figure 2 7, illustrating the parts in another position;

Figure 5 is a sectional View taken substantially on: the line 55 of Figure 1 look ing in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Figure is an endelevation of the mechanism Figure 7 is a similar View looking at the other end of the mechanism Figure 8" is a perspective view of a tion of the mechanism 7' Figure 9 is a group perspective view illustrating another portion of the mechanism, the-component parts being relatively separated. V

The mechanism embodying the invention is, as is usual, mounted within a suitable casing which is indicated in general by the pernumeral 1, this casing being preferably of cast metal and comprising side walls 2, end walls 3, a bottom at, and a transverse Pttl'tl tion wall 5, the casing being provided with a suitable cover (not shown) toexclude' dirt and moisture. The partition wall 5 of the casing divides the interior of the easing into two compartments, one indicated by the numeral 6 and the other by the numeral 7. The numeral 8 indicates an electric motor which is suitably mounted within the com partment 6 and thus, in a sense, separated from the remainder of the mechanism in a manner to exclude oil and grease from its presence. The motor shaft is indicated by the numeral 9, and fixed thereon as by a set screw 10, is the head 11 of a governor which is indicated by the numeral 12. The numeral 13 indicates in general a shaft which is mounted, in a manner to be presently explained, in axial alinemcnt with the shaft 9 and is longitudinally movable with relation thereto. The shaft 13 is provided with spaced collars 14: between which seat the fingers 15 of arms 16 which are pivoted, as at 17, at diametrically opposite sides of the head 11 and have Weighted outer ends 18, these parts completing the structure of the governor. The shaft 13 is free to slide in the head 11 of the governor 12 and is splined or otherwise connected for rotation with the motor shaft 9 through the medium of the said head 11.

The partition wall 5 of the casing is formed with an opening 19, and a stuffing box 20 is mounted upon the partition 'all at the point of location of the said opening 19 and accommodates the shaft 13, the said shaft fitting slidably through the packing of the stufling box and having free play through the opening 19. That end of the shaft 13 which is opposite the end which is coupled with the motor shaft is reduced in diameter and threaded exteriorly as indicated by the numeral 21, and fitted thereto is a shaft section 22 which constitutes an extension of the shaft 13, this shaft section yoke 26 carried at the end of an arm 27 fulcrumed as at 28 to a bracket29 mounted in fixed position within the compartment/Z.

A rod 30 is pivotally connected at one end,

as at 31, to the other end of the arm 27 and works loosely through an opening 32 in the fixed support 33 for the bracket 29, and a spring 3% is fitted onto the rod 30 and bears at one end against the said arm 27 and at itsother end against the said support 33,

and serves, as stated, to yieldably hold the 'The,numeral indicates a base which is yoke 26 in engagement with the collar 25.

mounted within the compartment 7 upon the bottom 4: of the casing 1 and inwhich is journaled a shaft indicated by the numeral 36, this shaft being in alinement with the .:shaft section 22 and opposed endwise thereto. An anti-friction thrust bearing 37 is arranged within a recess formed in one side of the base 35, and a collar 39 upon the said shaft 36 bears against-said bearing.

The end portion of the shaft 36 beyond the collar 39 accommodates the flanged end of the shaft section 22, the said shaft section 22, in its sliding movement, being longitudinally movable with relation to the said 5 end of'the shaft 36. However, in order that the shaft 36 and shaft section 22 may be at all times coupled for rotation in unison, a spline 40 is provided as clearly shown in Figure 5.

A pinion 41 is fixed upon the other end i of the shaft 36 and meshes with aigear 4L2 fixed upon one end of a worm shaft 43, the worm of this shaft being indicated by the numeral 4 The worm dd meshes with a -i,-worm gear 45 which is fixed upon a shaft 46 mounted in suitable bearings d7 upon the base 35. The worm gear 45 is provided with a clutch face 48. A shaft 49 is journaled in a bearing 50 upon the base 35 counter to the shaft 36, and is opposed in endwise relation to the said shaft 46. The numeral 50 indicates a clutch head which is provided with a hub 51. splined upon the shaft '49 for longitudinal shifting movement and for rotation therewith, and the this lever is connected, as at 55, one end of a rod 56. The opposite end of the rod is connected by a suitable coupling 57 with the upper endof alever 58 which is provided with a yoke 59 intermediate its ends,

-journaled for rocking movement upon the collar 25. A bracket arm 60 is fixed upon the .base 35 and supports an abutment screw 6l,the end of which is positioned in the path of rocking movement of the upper portion of the lever 53 so as to limit the rocking movement of thelever in one direction, and also'to serve as a fulcrum, under conditions to be presently explained.

A pinion 62 is fixed upon the shaft 49 and meshes with a segmental gear 63 mounted for oscillation as at 64c upon'the base An abutment screw 65 is adjustably threaded into a boss 66 upon the said base 35 and is adapted tobe engaged by one edge of the gear 63 whereby to limit the movement of the gear in one direction. 7

The numeral 67 indicates a rocker arm which is mounted for rocking movement upon a bearing 68 upon the base 35, and this rocker arm is provided with a longitudinally extending slot indicated by the numeral 69. A connecting rod 70 is provided at one end with a pin 71 which is loosely engaged in the slot 69 and is capable of movement longitudinally in said slot, the pin being adapted to seat by gravity in the lower 1 end of the slot when the connecting rod and rocker arm are in the positions shown in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings, and being adapted toengage in the upperend'of the slot when the-parts are in the position shown in Figure 4- 0f the drawings. In order that the pin 71 may be heldin the latter position, in such manner that it will not drop by gravity, and likewise in order that the connecting rod 70 may be caused to maintain the position shown in Figured until moved from such position to theposition' shown in Figures 2 and 3, one wall of the slot '69, at the upper end of the slot, is recessed, as at 72, so as to accommodate the pin and provide a seat in which one side of the pin may engage, anda detent pin 7 3 is slidably mounted through an opening in the rocker arm opposite the upper end of the slot and the seat 7 2 in the wall thereof and is" adapted to engage the opposite side of the pin 71 and hold the pin in the seat 7 2, a spring 7 t'being secured upon the said arm 67 and coacting with the detent pin 7 3 to. yieldably hold the same in engaging position. The connecting rod 70 at its other end is formed with a slot 7 5, and a pivot bolt 76 is engaged through the slot and threaded into the segmental gear 63. At this point itwill be evident that when the gear 63 is rocked through rotation of the shaft 49 and pinion .62, the connecting rod 70 will be shifted so as to impart rocking motion to the rocker arm 67.

The numeral 77 indicates a rod which is;

ledthrough a bushing 78 in one end wall of the casing 1 and is connected in any appropriate manner to the tongue of the switch (not shown). The end of the rod 77 which lies within the casing of the mechanism is threaded, as indicated by the numeral 79, and a turn buckle 80 is fitted at one end rocker arm 67.

onto this end of the said rod 77. The other end of the turn buckle receives a threaded stem 81 which is connected by a suitable coupling 82 with the upper end of the rocker arm 67, it being understood that. rocking movement of the arm 67 will result in longitudinal movement of the rod' 77 to suitably shift the switch tongue from one position to the other.

Asbefore stated, the connecting rod 70 is adapted to be shifted from the position shown in Figure 3, for example, to the position shown in Figure 1, in which former position the pin 71 will rest in the lower end of the slot 69 and in which latter position it will rest in the upper end of the said slot, and the purpose of so shifting the rod will presently be fully explained. The means provided for accomplishing this shifting movement of the rod, automatically, in

the operationof the mechanism, comprises a rocker indicated in general by the numeral 83 mounted as at 84: upon the base The rocker 83 comprises two'angularly disposed arms, one indicated by the numeral 85 and the other by the numeral 86. p The arm 85 is provided with a laterally turned end 87 supporting a head '88 from which project pins 89- which arelocated in suitably spaced relation and which engage above and below the-connecting bar70. To the upper end of the arm 86 of the rocker83 there is connected the upper end of a. tension spring 90, the lower end of this spring being connected, as at 91, to one end of a. rock lever 92, mounted for rocking movement, as at 93, upon the said" base 35. To the upper end of the rock lever 92 is pivotally connected, as at 94, one end of a rod 95 which may be formed in sections and the sections connected by anadjustable turn buckle 96. Theother end of the said rod 95 is connected pivotally, as at 97, to the upper end of the -By a comparison of Figures 2 and 4 of the drawings, it will be obZerVed that when the shaft-49 is rotated, under conditions to be presently described, together with the-pinion 62, the segmental gear 63 will be oscillated to eii'ect rocking movement of the rock lever 67, and if the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 2, the movement ofthe said lever 67 will efi'ect a pull upon the-rod 95 thus rocking the rock arm 92 toso shift the point of connection of the lower end of the spring 90 with relation to the point of connection of the upper end of the spring, as to effect rocking of the rocker 83 from the position shown in Figure 2 tothe position shown in Figure 4. This movement of the rocker will result in upward swinging movement of the connecting rod 70 to-the position shown in the said Figure 4.

{Fora purpose which will be made apparent in;v the description of operation of the mechanism, it is necessary, to provide, for the lever 58, a fulcrum in addition to the fulcrum afforded by the screw 61. This fulcrum is best illustrated in Figure 9 of the drawings and indicated in general by the numeral 98 and comprises a small angle lever 99 one arm of which is provided with a fulcrum shoulder 100. The other arm of the said lever is formed with a trip finger 100 the purpose of which will prcsently be explained. The angle lever is mounted in a slot 101 provided in a bracket 102 mounted upon the base 35. The fulcrum shoulder 100 is, in one position of the angle lever 99, located directly in the path of movement of the lower end of the lever 58, a wear plate or insert 103 being preferably provided in the said end of the lever for coaction with the said shoulder 100. To the first mentioned arm of the angle lever 99 there is connected a rod 10-1, the other end of this rod being connected to the lower end of a rock lever 10:) mounted for rocking movement as at 106 upon a suitable fixed part of the base 35. An abutment screw 107 is adjustably threaded through the upper end of the rock lever and bears at its end against the periphei y of a cam 108 which is fixed upon the shaft 49. A stem 109 is pivotaily connected as at 110 with the upper portion of the rock lever 105 and works through a stationary guide 111 upon an upstanding part of the said base 35, and a spring 1152 is arranged upon the stem 109 and bears between a shoulder 1123 upon said stem and the said stationary guide 111, the spring yieldably holding the rock lever 105 rocked upon its pivot with the end of the abutment screw 10? hearing against the periphery of the cam 108.

The rock lever 105 is provided upper end with an extension 11-1 projects upwardly therefrom and to which is connected one end of a rod 115 which leads through the partition wall of the casing and is connected to the movable arm 116 of a switch which is indicated in general by the numeral 117, the fixed con tact of this switch being indicated by the numeral 118, and the movable blade of the switch being provided with a contact 119.

A bracket 121 extends laterally from the rocker 6'7, and a rod 122 is connected. at one end to this bracket and at its other end to the movable blade 123 of a selecting switch 124. The said switch 12L is mounted within the compartment 6 and coiimriscs spaced contacts 125 and 126 with either of which the blade 123 may be brought into engagement upon swinging of the blade through rocking of the rocker 67.

In order that the operation of the mechanism may be understood, it will be assumed that when the parts are in the positions shown in- Figures 1, 2, 3, and 5 of the drawat its which man of a car approaching the switch wishes to pass onto or continue upon the main I track. lhrough proper manipulation of the control lever of the car and through the instrumentality of a control panel which is mounted in juxtaposition to'the switch and which constitutes the subject matter of my co-pending application filed July 27, 1923, Serial No. 654,223, the electric motor 8 is energized'thus imparting rotary motion to the motor shaft 9 and through this shaft to the shaft 36. This will effect rotation of the pinion 41 and corresponding rotation of the gear 42 and shaft 43; The rotation of the shaft 43 effects rotation of the worm gear 45 through the meshing of the worm 44 with the said gear, and rotary motion is therefore imparted to the shaft 46. At this time the clutch head is out of en gagement with the clutch face 48 of the said gear 45. However, the governor is in the meantime actuated, through the rotationof the shaft 9, to shift the shaft 13 in the direction of the motor 8, and inasmuch asthe fulcrum shoulder 100 is at such time in engagement with the lower end of the rock lever 58, the shifting movement of the said shaft 13 will result in rocking of the said lever about the said shoulder as a fulcrum, the upper end of the lever being swung in the direction of the partition wall 5 of the casing so as to exert a pull upon the rod 56 and effect rocking of the rocker 53. This movement of the rocker will serve to bring the clutch head 50 into coactive engage ment with the clutch face 48 0f the gear 45, whereupon rotary motion will be imparted to the shaft 49 and consequently to the pinion 62 and cam 108 upon this'shaft.

Rotation of the pinion 62 will, of course, effect rotation of the segmental gear 63 in a direction to exert a pull upon the connecting rod and thispull will effect rocking of the rocker 67 so as to swing its upper end toward the partition Wall 5 of the casing and exert a pull. upon the rod 77 to swing the switch tongue (not shown) to position spaced from the main track rail thus permitting the car to continue on the main track. 1n the meantime rotation of the cam 108 will bring its high portion into engagement with the abutment screw 107 and effect rocking of the lever 105 so as to throw tae switch blade 116 away fromthe fined contact 118 and separate the contacts 118 and 1 19 thereby breaking the circuit through the motor. At the same time this movement of the lever 105 will result in a pull being exerted upon the rod 104 to oscillate the fulcrum 08 and move the fulcrum shoulder 100 out of engagement with the lower end of the lever 58. At the same time, the finger 100 will act against the lower end of the lever 58to move the said end of the levertoward the partition Wall 5 and at this time the screw 61 will constitute a fulcrum for the lever resulting in its upper end being swung in the opposite direction so as toshift the clutch member 50 out of engagement with the clutch face of the gear 45, the spring 34 acting through the yoke 27 to return the shaft 13- to its normal position. c

During the operation above described, and through shifting movement-of the rod 77, the rod will be shifted so as to rock. the lever 92 and effect a rocking movement of the rocker 63 from the position shown in Figure 2 to the position shown in Figure 4, which movement of the said rocker 83, as before stated, effects an upward swing ing or shifting movement of the connecting rod 70 so that the rod will assume the position shown in Figure 4 and with the pin 71 seating in the upper end of the slot 69 in the rocker 67. 7

Assuming now that the switch point or tongue is in the open position, and the motorman of an oncoming car wishes to turn onto the side track, he will effect closing of the circuit through the motor 8 by the medium heretofore referred to, namely the control panel of my co-pending application, and when the motor is energized and the shaft 9 is rotated, motion will be imparted to the segmental gear 63 in the same manner as before, it being understood that; in the movement of the connecting rod 7 0 from the position shownin Figure 2, and at the time of unclutching of the member 50, a pull has been exerted upon this rod as its outer end has moved upwardly in the slot 69 in the rock lever 67, to effect return of the said gear 63 to the normal position shown in Figure 3. As the gear 63 is now rotated in the same manner as before, a pull will againbe exerted upon the connecting rod 70 and as a consequence the rod 77 will be shifted'to throw they switch tongue to I closed position,'and the parts will operate as before except that in this phase of operation, the movement of the rod 95 will, at the proper time, effect actuation of the arm 92 andfinally the angle lever 83 through the medium of the. spring 90, to swing the connecting rod 70 downwardly and restore it to the position shown in FigureB. 1 V

Having thus described the invention, what. is claimed as new is: I V 1. In switch operating mechanism of theclass described, a prime mover, a shaft,; operative connection between the prime mover and the shaft for rotating the latter, a second shaft, a switch rod, means actuated through rotation of the second mentioned shaft foroperating theswitch rod to adjust the switch, a clutch for connecting thesaid ?able member, means yieldalely urging the .shiftable member in. one direction, operative connectionibetween; thelever and the clutch for actuating the clutch when the lever is rocked, a 1 member engaged by the lever and constituting al fulcrum for the lever when the shiftable member is shifted, and means actuated through operation of the prime mover for shifting the said shiftable member.

2. In switch operating mechanism of the class described, a prime mover, a shaft, operative connection between the prime mover and the shaft for rotating the latter, a second shaft, a switch rod, means actuated through rotation of the second mentioned shaft for operating the switch rod to adjust the switch, a clutch for connecting the said shafts for rotation in unison, a shiftable member, a lever supported upon the shiftable member, means yieldably urging the shiftable member in one direction, operative connection between the lever and the clutch for actuating the clutch when the lever is rocked, a member engaged by the lever and constituting a fulcrum for the lever when the shiftable member is shifted, means actuated through operation of the prime mover for shifting the said shiftable member, and means actuated through rotation of the second mentioned shaft, at a "predetermined period, for moving the lever engaged member out of active position.

3. In switch operating mechanism of the class described, a prime mover, a shaft, operative connection between the prime mover and the shaft for rotating the latter, a second shaft, a switch rod, means actuated through rotation of the second mentioned shaft for operating the switch rod to adjust the switch, a clutch for connecting the said shafts for rotation in unison, a shiftable member, a lever supported upon the shiftable member, means yieldably urging the shiftable member in one direction, operative connection between the lever and the clutch for actuating the clutch when the lever is rocked,

a fulcrum member movable into and out of position to be engaged by the lever and constituting a fulcrum for the lever when in engagement therewith and when the shiftable member is shifted in one direction, and means actuated through operation of the prime mover for shifting the said shiftable member.

' ative connection between the switch, a clutch for connecting the said shafts for rotation in unison, a shiftable member, a lever supported upon the s-ahiftablc member, means yieldably urging the shi able member in one direction, operative connection between the lever and the clutch for actuating the clutch when the lever is rochcd a fulcrum member movable into and out position to be engaged by the lever and constituting a fulcrum for the lever when in engagement therewith and when the shiftable member is shifted in one direction, means actuated through operation of the prime mover for shifting the said shiftable member, and means actuated through rotation of the second mentioned shaft for moving the fulcrum member to inactive position.

5. In switch operating mechanism of the class described, a prime mover embodying a driving shaft. a driven shaft, a sleeve shaft connecting the first mentioned shafts and shiftable with relation thereto, governor means actuated through operation of the prime mover to shift the sleeve shaft, a switch rod, gear means for actuating the switch rod through rotation of the driven shaft embodying a clutch, a lever supported upon the sleeve shaft, means yieldably urging the sleeve shaft in one direction, operative connection between the lever and the clutch for actuating the clutch when the lever is rocked, and a member engaged by the lever and constituting a fulcrum for the lever when the sleeve shaft is shifted.

6. In switch operating mechanism of the class described, a prime mover embodying a driving shaft, a driven shaft, a sleeve shaft connecting the first mentioned shafts and shiftable with relation thereto, governor means actuated through operation of the prime mover to shift the sleeve shaft, a switch rod, gear means for actuating the switch rod through rotation of the driven shaft embodying a clutch, a lever supported upon the sleeve shaft, means yieldably urging the sleeve shaft in one direction, operative connection between the lover and the clutch for actuating the clutch when the lever is rocked, a member engaged by the lever and constituting a fulc' mi for the lever when the sleeve shaft is shifted, and means actuated through operation of the said gear means, for moving the lever ongaged member out of active position.

7. In switch operating lllQCilflI1l::11l of the class described, a prime mover embodying a driving shaft, a driven shaft, a sleeve shaft connecting the first mentioned shaft and shiftablc with relation thereto, governor means actuated through operation of the prime mover to shift the sleeve shaft, means yieldably urging the sleeve shaft in a direction opposite to that in which it is moved through actuation by the governor means, a

switch rod, gear means for actuating the switch rod through rotation of the driven shaft embodying a clutch, a lever supported upon the sleeve shaft, operative connection between the lever and the clutch for actuating the clutch when the lever is rocked, a fulcrum member movable into and out of position to be engaged by the lever and constituting a fulcrum for the lever when in engagement therewith and when the 10 sleeve shaft is shifted in one direction, and means actuated through the operation of the gear means for moving the fulcrum' member to inactive position. b In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

CHARLES SEPPLEY'. -[L.' s.] 

